A paean to Richland County’s last covered bridge, a really big concert, an equally significant film debut and the announced arrival of a new steel plant in Mansfield highlight today’s look back at the News Journal’s headlines of 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago on this date.

Sept. 15, 1989

“Vocational school considers name change” — Following the lead of several other schools at the time, the Ashland County-West Holmes Joint Vocational School looked at changing its name. The superintendent said the school’s present name could have connotations of a marijuana cigarette or jail for some people. Today, the facility is known as the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center.

“Buckeyes brace for Cowboy gun Gundy” — The Ohio State football team, under coach John Cooper for a second year, was set to open its 100th season against Oklahoma State before a crowd of more than 88,000 people. OSU went on to win the game 37-13 and finished the season with a record of 8-4, losing to Auburn of the SEC in the Hall of Fame Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Sept. 15, 1964

“Says Indians, Braves definitely moving” — A front-page column insisted that the major league baseball teams in Cleveland and Milwaukee were going to move to Seattle and Atlanta, respectively. “There are NO ifs, ands or buts about the two switches,” a UPI columnist wrote. The Braves did make the predicted move, but the Indians, of course, remain in Cleveland. The Seattle Pilots played for one season in 1969.

“Drivers told to stay off unopened 71” — James W. Shocknessy, the state’s Interstate 71 expediter, warned motorists to stay off unopened portions of the new highway between Columbus and Cincinnati because of steep drops flanking the finished pavement. Work on the Ohio portion of the highway began in 1959, when it was known as State Route 1.

“British Club members to see Beatles” — Eight women from Mansfield got tickets and were headed to Cleveland to meet The Beatles after their concert there. All were members of the Mansfield British Empire Club, and four of them — Terry Babbitt, Rose Nunneley, Joan Dilley and Jackie McClellan — were dressed like the Fab Four. “We are just thrilled to bits over the whole thing,” Frances Baldwin said.

Sept. 15, 1939

“Russia, Nazis ready to split Poland, belief” — With World War II just a couple of weeks old and Germany having already invaded Poland, speculation arose that the Soviet Union would invade the country from the east and split it with the Nazis. Two days later, that’s exactly what happened. In the summer of 1941, however, Hitler’s troops expelled the Soviets from Poland in Operation Barbarossa.

“Past 60, last covered bridge in county still hale, hearty” — The health of the county’s last covered bridge, over the Black Fork on Rome South Road in Blooming Grove Township, was declared sound in a sentimental article. Built in 1874, it survived until arson claimed it in 1971. A covered bridge on the Bellville-Butler road was demolished in 1932 after a truck carrying pickles crashed through it.

“Has big role in ‘Wizard’” — In a photo caption, “youthful singing star of the screen” Judy Garland was singled out for the new movie “The Wizard of Oz,” opening at the Ohio theater, Mansfield’s “house of hits.” Touted in an ad on the same page as the “greatest Technicolor show-world miracle since ‘Snow White,’ ” the movie was described as featured living actors. “Not a cartoon picture,” it said.

Sept. 15, 1914

“A notable addition to Mansfield’s manufacturing industries” — After a meeting of several of the city’s business leaders at the Elk Home, it was announced that a large sheet steel plant would open in Mansfield, employing 250 to 300 men, though the name of the company was not disclosed. “The future growth and prosperity of this city will be more rapid than at any time in the past,” an article stated.

“Catering to a whim” — An editorial criticizing Cleveland’s “daylight conserving phantasmagory” took that city to task for switching from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time in order to extend its daylight hours. The article predicted the Sixth City, i.e. Mansfield, would not follow Cleveland’s lead in making the switch, nor would Ohio’s other major metropolitan areas.